the big recital

 our little ballerina had her dance recital last night.

she was so excited to dance on the big stage....

 but got a little nervous when she came out.

she tapped her toes

crouched down low

and then jumped up like a star

she held hands and twirled

while dancing to 'twinkle twinkle little star'.

 we were so proud.

bella with her best buddy, addy

every ballerina princess needs her post-recital yogurt, right?  

don't forget the gummy bears!

beautiful dancing, bella ballerina.  we love you!

farkel fun

i've said it before, and i'll probably say it again...

my husband is amazing.

when it comes to being a husband and father, 

i can't imagine anything better.

he is also an incredibly gifted youth pastor.

for the past 16 years i've had a front row seat to watch him love, shape, encourage, minister, comfort, disciple, and challenge junior high and high school students.

he is amazing.

he can find biblical truths and teach them in a way that is relatable and challenging.

he can also throw one mean event.  

what better way to get new students to feel comfortable stepping foot on a church and making relationships?

right now, one of WSM's biggest events of the year is happening. 

FARKELBALL!

(wanna know more?  check out jeff's post here)

while students are waiting to do the different challenges, there are tons of inflatables and yummy food for them to enjoy.

well.... they set up those inflatables early. 

so....

we thought it was important to make sure they were working correctly before letting high schoolers on them ;)

i took the kids down to the north campus tonight for some bouncin' fun.  

it was charlotte's first time on an inflatable.

she was lovin' it.

her faces were killin' me.

 

jackson and bella are experts at the obstacle course.  

they couldn't get enough.

 

bella was a bit short to get in by herself, so jackson gave her a boost :)

something new for my kiddos was the bungee run.  

jackson thought it was hilarious.

i had to agree.

 

 i'm sure tonight (high school) and tomorrow night (junior high) are going to be fantastic.

excited to see how some inflatables can help students connect to God and to each other.

i'm a little biased...

but my kids are adorable.  

probably the cutest ever.

here's the proof....

told ya so.

man, i hate being right ;)

being a mom.....

being a mom is hard.  really hard.

of course it is wonderful.  God gifts you with these little lives, that start out so tiny and new.  little pieces of perfection He entrusts you with.

and then they won't sleep.  and they poop on you.  and throw their food on the floor, tell you no, and throw the worlds biggest tantrum in the center aisle of target.

you do everything you can to raise them right.

to teach them to love Jesus.

to be a kind, thoughtful, generous person.

to think of others more than themselves.

and then they hit their brother on the head for holding their toy.

being a mom is hard.

it is lonely.  frustrating.  you question everything you do.  feel guilty about the things you don't.

you dream big for your children... and then realize you have no control over their future.

there are days i so desperately want a break.  

and then the minute i'm away, i just want to go running back to them.

never have i loved something so much.

been so depleted.

felt so unsure.

and then i see this little face....

hear her say 'mama'

and snuggle up close.

and then this little girl makes me laugh

with her complete silliness

her gigantic hugs

and how she dances along to the Wii.

and this little boy fills my heart

with his amazing reading

and how hard he works at everything he does.

and every second is worth it.  

being a mom is hard.  

but i wouldn't change anything.

i don't think i ever really appreciated my mom until i had children of my own.

thank you, mom, for how hard you worked to raise us.

i can't imagine doing this alone.

i love our relationship.

it may look different than other mothers & daughters, but that's okay with me.

i love that we can talk about anything.

be honest.

you support me, love me, and encourage me.

you are one of my biggest fans.

you are thoughtful, generous, and kind.

and a great gramma.

thank you for teaching me how to be a mom.

happy mothers day to all the moms out there.

and thank you to all the moms in my life who have loved me, inspired me, and encouraged me.

i'm so glad i don't have to do this mom thing all on my own.

ps... this may seem a day late, but since we work on sundays, the bachmans are celebrating on monday :)